Some-one-has-done-me-a-wrong!
Come-and-judge-my-case!
I’ve-been-wronged!
The judges came quickly, and when they saw the miser’s horse nibbling at the vine, they said, “The dumb beast has rung the Bell of Justice, and justice he shall have.” They sent for the owner, and when he came they said: “This horse has served you well for many years. He saved your life several times. He helped you to make your wealth. So we order that one-half your money shall be set aside to provide good food, a warm stall, and good pasture for your horse the rest of his days.”
The miser hung his head, grieving to lose his gold. But the people shouted for joy at the just sentence, and the king laughed aloud:
Right well this pleaseth me,
And this shall make in every Christian clime,
The Bell of Justice famous for all time.
—Longfellow’s “The Sicilian’s Tale,” in “Tales of a Wayside Inn.”